Nivolumab Spurs Responses in non-CRC Patients With dMMR

Nivolumab (Opdivo) demonstrated a 24% overall response rate (ORR) among patients with a range of non-colorectal cancers (CRCs) with mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) who were identified through the NCI-MATCH trial, according to preliminary clinical trial findings reported at the 32nd SITC Annual Meeting.

Overall, 8 of 34 patients achieved a response for a 24% ORR (95% CI, 11%-41%); all were deemed partial responses (PRs) although there were 2 unconfirmed complete responses. “We did meet our primary endpoint,” Azad said. “…Of note, we had 5 more patients who had unconfirmed responses. Two of those patients remained on study at the time of data cutoff, so these response numbers may change as the study matures.”

The disease control rate, which consists of PRs, CRs, and stable disease, was 56%. The benefit was seen across histologies. “The duration of benefit was compelling for these patients,” Azad said. “The median time to response was 2.1 cycles and the 6-month progression-free survival was 49% [95% CI, 32%-67%].”

She said the median duration of response had not been reached at the time of data cutoff and that 11 patients overall were still undergoing treatment.

In terms of adverse events (AEs), Azad said the safety profile of nivolumab was consistent with that seen in prior studies. Treatment-related AEs consisted mostly of low-grade AEs; common all-grade AEs included fatigue (15%), anemia (10%), hypothyroidism, (6%), and anorexia (6%).